Chapter Summaries

Hyuga Nobunaga rejected Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mitokado Homura’s attempt to make him a puppet, while Hiruzen suspected Uchiha Fugaku had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan. The next morning, Kawafune set out to confront Hiruzen directly.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Mitokado Homura that Fugaku had likely used the Mangekyo Sharingan, awakened by his uncle’s death, to cast Genjutsu unnoticed.
• Hiruzen and Homura discussed their dwindling chances of controlling the Hokage succession, but dismissed Jiraiya as an unsuitable and unreliable candidate.
• Nobunaga returned home without telling Hiashi and Hizashi what Hiruzen had asked, and privately regretted that the Caged Bird Seal had weakened the Hyuga Clan.
• Kawafune woke, shared breakfast with Sakumo, Nayuki, Kakashi, and his students, then left for the Sarutobi Clan compound to confront Hiruzen.

Kawafune visited Sarutobi Hiruzen and told him to step down as Hokage, repay the money owed, and accept a new role in the Police Force. Hiruzen agreed, and Kawafune left with no possibility of reversing the decision.

• Sarutobi Clan ninja tried to turn Kawafune away, but he intimidated them into letting him see Sarutobi Hiruzen.
• Kawafune told Hiruzen that Tsunade could take his place and explained that he had supported her from the moment they met.
• Hiruzen acknowledged his failures as Hokage and admitted that Kawafune no longer needed his trump card concerning Kumogakure.
• Kawafune demanded that Hiruzen step down and repay the money owed, and offered him a position in the Police Force.
• Hiruzen accepted the arrangement, but Kawafune told him there was no chance to turn things around before leaving.

Kawafune secured Sarutobi Hiruzen’s agreement to step down and reassured Tsunade, who was still troubled by the matter. The next morning, Sarutobi Hiruzen publicly confessed to embezzling compensation funds, apologized, and relinquished the Hokage position.

• Kawafune returned home after settling matters with Sarutobi Hiruzen, then visited Tsunade and Orochimaru at the hospital laboratory.
• Kawafune and Orochimaru comforted Tsunade as she struggled with Sarutobi Hiruzen’s actions.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen left home alone and walked to the village center, despite Mitokado Homura’s concern.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen admitted to the villagers that he had embezzled compensation funds and promised to repay the money.
• The angry villagers pelted Sarutobi Hiruzen with objects as he stood on the platform.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen apologized, removed his Hokage robe and hat, and bowed to the villagers as he relinquished his position.

Utatane Koharu convened Konoha’s clan heads to recommend a successor to Sarutobi Hiruzen. After several candidates declined, Tsunade won overwhelming support and was set to become the Fourth Hokage once the Daimyo’s appointment arrived.

• Utatane Koharu opened the recommendation meeting and invited the clan heads to nominate candidates for Hokage.
• Might Duy nominated Tsunade, while Sakumo and Orochimaru declined nominations for themselves; Jiraiya was also mentioned.
• Several clan heads recommended Kawafune, but he declined and urged everyone to support Tsunade.
• Kawafune nominated Hyuga Nobunaga, who declined and pledged the Hyuga Clan’s support for Tsunade.
• Fugaku backed Tsunade for the Uchiha, and the remaining clan heads followed with their support.
• Utatane Koharu declared Tsunade the clear winner, and the meeting concluded with her appointment awaiting the Daimyo’s letter.

Kawafune and Tsunade invited their friends and families to a feast, where they announced their wedding would take place in one month. The gathering lasted until nightfall, and the men became too drunk to walk.

• Kawafune invited his friends to a meal, and they went home to bring their families; Orochimaru asked to bring Pakura.
• Mito told Tsunade and Kawafune that their wedding date was set for one month later, then directed them to Nawaki and the others at the Training Hall.
• Kawafune and Tsunade invited Nawaki, Misaki, and Kushina, and the guests gradually gathered at Kawafune's home.
• Orochimaru reassured Pakura, who felt uneasy among former enemies, and Sakumo opened the feast by congratulating Tsunade on becoming Hokage.
• Fugaku introduced Mikoto as his fiancée, and Kawafune announced that he and Tsunade would marry in one month.
• The meal continued from noon until nightfall, and the men became too drunk to walk.

Tsunade received the Daimyo’s appointment letter and prepared to become Hokage, with Kawafune and Utatane Koharu arranging her renovated office and inauguration. After trying on her Hokage Robe, Tsunade and Kawafune left the office together, and the Anbu chose not to investigate.

• The Land of Fire Daimyo sent a letter condemning Sarutobi Hiruzen’s actions and supporting Tsunade’s appointment as Hokage.
• Tsunade inspected her renovated office, which Kawafune had paid to improve, and Utatane Koharu corrected her posture and reviewed the inauguration plans for the next day.
• A tailor delivered Tsunade’s Hokage Robe, and Kawafune helped her put on the robe and hat.
• Tsunade jokingly ordered Kawafune to clean the Hokage Building, and he pounced on her before they both disappeared from the office.
• The Anbu found the office empty, guessed Kawafune and Tsunade had been playing, and left without discussing it further.
• At Kawafune’s room, Tsunade reluctantly agreed to wear the Hokage Robe again at his urging.

Tsunade prepared for her inauguration as Hokage and traveled to the village center with Kawafune and her family. She chose a smiling photograph as the reference for her face to be carved onto Hokage Rock.

• Nawaki asked Tsunade to join the Anbu, and she agreed to make him a squad captain.
• Kawafune arrived at the Senju Residence and left with Tsunade for the inauguration ceremony.
• Tsunade and Kawafune joked about her paperwork burden as they walked to the village center.
• Utatane Koharu told Tsunade that her face would be carved onto Hokage Rock during her inauguration speech.
• Tsunade chose her prettiest smiling photograph for the carving masters to use as their reference.

Tsunade was inaugurated as Konoha’s Fourth Hokage after a grand ceremony and delivered a speech to cheering villagers. Afterward, Kawafune brought her to Nara Shota’s home and tricked him into accepting the position of Hokage Assistant.

• Kawafune’s inauguration festivities began with a dance, and Utatane Koharu introduced Tsunade to the crowd.
• Tsunade flew onto the stage, gave her prepared speech, and was welcomed as the Fourth Hokage as her face was carved onto Hokage Rock.
• Kawafune praised Tsunade after the ceremony and took her to find a helper for the Hokage’s work.
• Kawafune persuaded Nara Shota to accept an important task, then revealed that he had appointed him Hokage Assistant.

Tsunade appointed Shota as her assistant and reorganized Konoha’s leadership to secure her authority as Hokage. The meeting ended with her allies controlling the village’s major departments, while Shota was left to tackle the paperwork.

• Kawafune tricked Shota into accepting the Hokage Assistant position, then discussed upcoming changes with Tsunade at the Senju Residence.
• Tsunade assigned Shota to sort her paperwork and agreed that he could hire another assistant.
• Tsunade appointed Hatake Sakumo Anbu Director and assigned Utatane Koharu to manage the administrative department.
• Tsunade handed the Police Force to Sarutobi and the Mitokado Clan, while the Uchiha narrowly won leadership of the interrogation department.
• Tsunade appointed Orochimaru head of the Medical Department and Kawafune head of the Education Department, bringing Konoha’s six major departments under her control.

After handling Hokage paperwork, Tsunade visited the hospital and discussed the ongoing live experiments with Orochimaru. Kawafune reassured Nagato that he would soon leave the hospital, while Tsunade approved Orochimaru removing Pakura’s seal before teasing him about her.

• Tsunade and Kawafune returned to the office, where Shota had processed much of the paperwork, and Tsunade took over the remaining work.
• Tsunade visited the hospital and reviewed the experiment results with Orochimaru, who reported that four subjects had died and discussed improvements with her.
• Kawafune took Nagato and Misaki outside, where Nagato admitted that Orochimaru’s scrutiny of his eyes frightened him.
• Kawafune reassured Nagato that he would not have to stay at the hospital much longer.
• Tsunade and Orochimaru agreed on the next stage of experiments, and Tsunade approved Orochimaru removing Pakura’s seal before joking about him.

Kawafune and Tsunade discussed the risks of his planned fusion before asking Sakumo to arrange Anbu positions for Nawaki and Minato’s team. Meanwhile, Pakura shared a home-cooked dinner with Orochimaru, who briefly found himself thinking about Tsunade.

• Tsunade told Kawafune the live experiment needed more time before they could decide whether to proceed with his fusion.
• Kawafune and Tsunade visited Sakumo, and Sakumo agreed to arrange for Nawaki to join the Anbu as a squad leader.
• Kawafune massaged Sakumo’s neck until Sakumo agreed to let Minato lead Yahiko and the other two as an Anbu squad.
• Nayuki returned with Kakashi, and the family gathered for dinner.
• Orochimaru came home to find Pakura waiting with braised pork ribs, and he praised the meal before she washed the dishes.

Orochimaru began removing the seal that had suppressed Pakura's Chakra after she overcame her embarrassment and agreed. As the seal faded, Pakura cried out in pain.

• Pakura finished washing the dishes and went to bathe before the unsealing.
• Pakura hesitated when Orochimaru prepared to remove the seal, but he insisted and held her in place until she agreed.
• Pakura showed Orochimaru the seal beneath her breasts and reluctantly let him proceed.
• Orochimaru formed hand seals and pressed his fingers to the pattern, causing Pakura to cry out as it rapidly faded.

Pakura confessed her feelings to Orochimaru, and the two began a relationship after he removed her seal. The next day, Orochimaru returned to the laboratory in high spirits while Minato and Nawaki brought Yahiko and the other children to join the Anbu.

• Pakura embraced Orochimaru, told him she felt at home with him, and asked him to marry her.
• Orochimaru and Pakura kissed and spent the night together, and Pakura was sore when she got out of bed the next morning.
• Orochimaru helped Pakura wash up, made breakfast, and went to the laboratory, where Misaki noticed his unusually cheerful mood.
• Minato and Nawaki brought Yahiko and the other children to Anbu headquarters, where Sakumo assigned Minato and Nawaki as squad captains and gave them their squad details.
• The group collected their Anbu uniforms and masks, changed, and emerged dressed like the other Anbu ninja.

Nawaki took charge of the former Hunt Squad, renamed it Fire Squad, and challenged its members to prove his authority. He faced all three together and began the fight by using the Light-Weight Rock Technique to rise into the air.

• Minato introduced Kaede Squad, while Nawaki learned that his new team was waiting at Training Ground One.
• Nawaki renamed Hunt Squad to Fire Squad and rejected Lion's demand for a one-on-one spar.
• After spectators mocked his refusal, Nawaki challenged all three former Hunt Squad members at once.
• Lion and the other two drew their swords, and Nawaki rose into the air without making visible hand seals.
• Minato, Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato watched confidently as the match began.

Nawaki defeated Lion and two other Anbu members in a sparring match, proving his strength and earning their agreement to follow his orders. The Anbu Fire Squad was established, and Nawaki’s group began integrating into the Anbu.

• Nawaki landed to fight Lion and the other two fairly, then knocked Lion back and sent another attacker flying while countering their coordinated assault.
• A Nara Clan Anbu member used Shadow Paralysis Jutsu, and the illusion technique briefly made Nawaki see Kawafune attacking him.
• Nawaki escaped the illusion with Earth Body Flicker Jutsu and trapped Lion and the Nara Clan Anbu underground with Earth Style, Double Suicide Decapitation Technique.
• Lion surrendered and agreed that the three would follow Nawaki’s orders, and Nawaki pulled his teammates out of the earth.
• The spectators applauded as the Anbu Fire Squad was established, and Sakumo teased Kawafune for secretly watching the match.

Hatake Kawafune reluctantly attended the Ninja Academy graduation ceremony as its new principal and handed out Forehead Protectors to the graduating students. He began his speech before the gathered students and parents.

• Tsunade had been Hokage for over half a month, the Sarutobi Clan had repaid the embezzled money, and Fugaku had taken control of the Interrogation Department.
• Vice Principal Onoda Ei urged Kawafune to inspect the graduation arrangements and prepare a speech, but Kawafune dismissed the old Will of Fire script.
• Onoda Ei announced that the students who passed their exams were now Genin and cited Minato Namikaze as an example to follow.
• Kawafune handed out Forehead Protectors to the graduating students, including Kushina, whom he teased as she came forward.
• Kawafune introduced himself to the crowd and began addressing the students and parents.

Kawafune announced four optional Advanced Courses at the Ninja Academy to develop Genin’s talents, then persuaded Onoda Ei to manage the reform despite his concerns about resources and staffing. Kawafune left Onoda Ei responsible for organizing the tests, and Onoda realized too late that he had been talked into the work.

• Kawafune announced combat, interrogation, command, and medical Advanced Courses for Genin, drawing enthusiastic interest from the graduates.
• Onoda Ei questioned whether the Academy had enough funding, instructors, and expertise to establish the courses, but Kawafune insisted he would handle staffing and money.
• Kawafune convinced Onoda Ei that the courses could make the Academy a central talent-training institution in Konoha and asked him to handle the details and test questions.
• Onoda Ei agreed, and Kawafune quickly left him with the work.
• A teacher asked Onoda Ei how to write the test questions, prompting him to realize he had been tricked and order the teacher to keep quiet.

Kawafune established the Ninja Academy’s advanced division and tested his Lightning Release Armor against Sakumo. After their destructive spar, Nayuki reminded Kawafune that his wedding to Tsunade was only days away and that he needed to inspect the preparations.

• Onoda Ei gathered test questions from Konoha’s departments, and Kawafune organized the successful Genin into four classes and secured funding and instructors for the advanced division.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mitokado Homura praised Kawafune’s reforms and Tsunade’s leadership.
• Kawafune let Sakumo attack his Lightning Release Armor, and Sakumo’s strongest strike caused a huge explosion but left Kawafune unharmed.
• Kakashi, Kushina, Might Duy, Shin Kurenai, and the others worried about the blast until Sakumo and Kawafune emerged safely from the dust.
• Nayuki scolded the brothers for damaging the training ground, then told Kawafune to inspect the wedding preparations before his ceremony with Tsunade.

Jiraiya returned to Konoha with his fiancée, Fukuko Maki, for Tsunade and Kawafune’s wedding and reunited with Orochimaru, who arrived with Pakura. As the guests gathered, Tsunade prepared for the ceremony and learned that Jiraiya had come back.

• Jiraiya arrived at Konoha with Fukuko Maki, who agreed to visit the village and meet the powerful Kawafune.
• Jiraiya and Maki met Orochimaru and Pakura outside the Senju Residence, and the four went inside together.
• Nawaki greeted Jiraiya and Maki, showed them to their seats, and told Tsunade that Jiraiya had arrived.
• Orochimaru and Jiraiya caught up and discussed settling down and finding work in Konoha.
• Mito dressed Tsunade for the wedding while Misaki and Kushina watched, and Tsunade smiled when Nawaki announced Jiraiya’s arrival.

Kawafune and Tsunade held a grand wedding, celebrated with family and friends, and began their married life together at the Hatake Clan. After the festivities ended, they entered the bridal chamber and hoped to start a family.

• Kawafune rode the transformed Ghost Mastiff to Senju Residence, where he met Tsunade and brought her to the wedding ceremony.
• Kawafune and Tsunade served tea to Mito, received her property deeds as a dowry, and completed the ceremony before their guests.
• Kawafune and Tsunade toasted the guests, then traveled in a bridal sedan chair to the Hatake Clan.
• At the Hatake Clan, Kawafune and Tsunade paid their respects to Sakumo and Nayuki, who gave them gifts and welcomed Tsunade into the family.
• After the guests departed, Kawafune and Tsunade entered the bridal chamber and tried to conceive a child.